Wizzlylabsfud
Culinary Explorer
Want a taste of summer with friends? Try this quick recipe for Seared Scallops with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce and Orzo, perfect for an easy dinner. 
Use your garden's tomatoes and basil for a tasty dish with sea scallops. Don't like pasta? Use grits or rice instead! 
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
- 1 cup thinly sliced sweet onion (from 1 large onion)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 16 dry-packed jumbo scallops (about 1 lb.)
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of the basil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes burst and release their juices, 6 to 7 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; cover and keep warm.
- Wipe skillet clean. Pat scallops dry with paper towels, and season with remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in skillet over high. Add scallops, and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute and 30 seconds per side. (Do not overcook.)
- Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. Stir in butter and parsley.
- Divide orzo among serving plates; top each with about 2/3 cup tomato sauce and 4 scallops. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons basil.
Feel free to try different things to make it your own. Enjoy making and sharing this yummy meal with friends and family. Enjoy your meal!
